Leading Japanese manufacturer, Oji Holdings Corporation (Oji Holdings), through its New Zealand subsidiary, Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS), is investing A$72 million in a new corrugated box manufacturing facility in Queensland. The investment is a boost to the region and will create an initial 55 jobs in the Gold Coast suburb of Yatala.

OjiFS will manage the new automated facility, and will manufacture a range of quality packaging products to meet increasing needs for use with fruit, meat and consumer goods in Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Territory.

In a press release, OjiFS Chief Executive Officer, Dr Jon Ryder, says the investment confirms the company’s commitment to growth in Australia.

‘We believe there is opportunity to take advantage of the increasing demand for corrugated packaging in Queensland and the Yatala project fits our strategy to increase vertical integration across our pulp, paper and packaging businesses.’

OjiFS plans to operate the Yatala facility with a 5/6 Green Star environmental rating, with lower water and electricity consumption and increased construction materials recycling.

The commitment from OjiFS has received support from the Queensland Government as part of the Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund. The company expects to create ongoing supply chain opportunities for local businesses, and aims to increase facility jobs to around 77 in the future.

Based in Tokyo, Oji Holdings is the fifth largest pulp and paper company in the world, with 158 consolidated subsidiaries located in 17 countries worldwide.

|A Foreign Affairs release | Nov 29, 2016